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This chapter discusses how Darwin succeeded in capturing a wide audience of scientists and non-scientists. Darwinian theory was used to support all types of political and ideological positions, from the most reactionary to the most progressive, including racism, militarism, laissez-faire economics, unfettered capitalism, Marxism, and anarchism. Laissez-faire economic theory, social Darwinism, application of Darwinism in international relations, political left's embrace of Darwinian theory, and debates over whether Darwin himself was a social Darwinist.

This chapter discusses how Darwin succeeded in capturing a wide audience of scientists and non-scientists. Darwinian theory was used to support all types of political and ideological positions, from the most reactionary to the most progressive, including racism, militarism, laissez-faire economics, unfettered capitalism, Marxism, and anarchism. Laissez-faire economic theory, social Darwinism, application of Darwinism in international relations, political left's embrace of Darwinian theory, and debates over whether Darwin himself was a social Darwinist.